The primer provides an overview of the basic components of the nation’s largest health coverage program that covers 55 million low-income individuals (including families, people with disabilities and the elderly) and is the dominant source of the country’s long-term care financing. It examines the structure of Medicaid, who the program covers, what services it provides and spending. Because Medicaid is jointly financed by the federal and state governments and the states administer the program within broad federal guidelines, programs vary across states. Tables examining the state-to-state variation in eligibility, enrollment and spending for Medicaid enrollees are included.

 Issue Brief